Learning Objectives:

  • Describe and explain the collision theory
  • Define the activation energy of a reaction

Particles must collide for a reaction; however, these collisions must fulfill these 2 conditions:

  • a collision must involve more than a certain minimum amount of energy
  • molecules must collide with the correct orientations.

“a collision must involve more than a certain minimum amount of energy”:

The minimum amount of energy that colliding particles must possess to result in a reaction is called the activation energy (Ea).

“molecules must collide with the correct orientations”:

H2(g)   +       Cl2(g)   –>     2HCl(g)

A collision that results in a reaction is called a successful or effective collision.

Rate of Reaction
Factors that affect Reaction Rate